Key Highlights
- Hyundai and IndianOil partner to test Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs) for mass use in India.
- Real-world trials with the Hyundai NEXO FCEV will run over two years, covering 40,000 km.
- The study will assess longevity, reliability, and total cost of ownership under Indian conditions.
In a decisive move towards cleaner mobility, Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) has teamed up with Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. (IndianOil) to kickstart real-world trials for Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs) in India. This collaboration marks an important milestone in India’s green mobility story, with the Hyundai NEXO leading the charge.
Hydrogen Fuel cell Partnership aim?
Under this new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), Hyundai has handed over a NEXO Hydrogen FCEV to Indian Oil. Over the next two years, the car will clock an estimated 40,000 km on Indian roads, undergoing rigorous trials to gauge its operational reliability, maintenance needs, and long-term running costs. The aim? To test how hydrogen-powered vehicles stack up against conventional and electric alternatives in Indian driving conditions.
Total cost of ownership with Hydrogen Fuel cells
The Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) assessment will factor in regular maintenance and operational costs, simulating how a private owner might use the NEXO on a daily basis. Hyundai says this research will offer valuable insights into the practicality of hydrogen technology as a mass mobility solution in India.
Globally, Hyundai has long believed in fuel-cell tech as a clean, efficient alternative to conventional fuels. The NEXO, with its futuristic design, zero tailpipe emissions, and quiet performance, has already made a mark in markets like South Korea and Europe. Now, India gets a chance to see what this technology feels like up close.
Meanwhile, Hyundai’s upcoming Hydrogen Innovation Centre in collaboration with IIT Madras aims to accelerate research in this space. The centre will support startups and OEMs by offering a testing platform for hydrogen tech, further nurturing India’s green hydrogen ambitions.
Final Thoughts
While the world’s busy plugging into EV chargers, Hyundai just uncorked a hydrogen bottle for India. The NEXO’s Indian road test will show if hydrogen can beat the heat, traffic, and potholes of our cities. Could this clean, sci-fi tech quietly outrun batteries? Time — and 40,000 km — will tell.
Also read: Two out of every three Hyundai vehicles sold are SUVs